Illinois not sorry for 'reaching out' to Penn State players

Thursday

Jul 26, 2012 at 12:01 AMJul 26, 2012 at 8:31 AM

That game between Illinois and Penn State in Memorial Stadium on Sept. 29 just got much more interesting. After the Illini sent eight football assistant coaches to State College, Pa., on Wednesday to meet with Penn State players who showed interest in transfering to Illinois, coach Tim Beckman defended his decision to move on the Nittany Lions' roster after the NCAA allowed them to transfer without sitting out a year after the child sex abuse scandal.

John Supinie

CHICAGO -- That game between Illinois and Penn State in Memorial Stadium on Sept. 29 just got much more interesting.

After the Illini sent eight football assistant coaches to State College, Pa., on Wednesday to meet with Penn State players who showed interest in transfering to Illinois, coach Tim Beckman defended his decision to move on the Nittany Lions' roster after the NCAA allowed them to transfer without sitting out a year after the child sex abuse scandal.

"I didn't want it to be a big scene like it was,'' Beckman said during Big Ten Conference football media day Thursday. "Everything we've done has been NCAA compliant. Penn State knew everything.

"We only talked to individuals that would be willing to meet with us. We did not go after them.''

If Illinois was caught with its hand in the cookie jar, the Illini aren't the only one leaving fingerprints. Beckman felt no need for embarrassment for following the rules, he said, and Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany only spoke with the coaches as a group after the conference's presidents were unanimous over letting Penn State players transfer within the league.

"I expect (the coaches) to operate and make sense just not under the rules but sense as adults,'' Delany said.

On his way to an ESPN appearance Wednesday, Penn State coach Bill O'Brien saw a group of men with Illinois football luggage at the State College airport, and the Illini became the poster boy for programs trying to take advantage of Penn State's mess. Beckman didn't make the trip.

"I have no idea what schools were on campus,'' O'Brien said. "Nor do I care. That's all I have to say about that.''

Following protocol, Illinois sent a list to Penn State after initial interest from a handful of Nittany Lions, Illinois athletic director Mike Thomas said.

"I don't think we were the only coaches that were there yesterday,'' Thomas said on Sirius/XM radio. "We might have been the only ones that weren't smart enough to not wear our school logos or have those on our work bags, but that's what happened.''

Illinois was recruiting no more than five players who made contact with the Illini, according to an insider. The relationships with the possible transfers were likely built in recruiting circles years ago. Like other schools, Illinois fielded calls from players, their parents and former high school coaches.

Illini assistants were told to stay off the Penn State campus by Beckman, and they met Penn State players at two restaurants: "a Starbucks and a waffle restaurant,'' Beckman said.

"We went there to reach out,'' Beckman said. "We told them where we were. If they'd like to come and talk to our coaching staff, we'd be willing to speak to them off campus.''

According to a report, Penn State redshirt freshman offensive tackle Ryan Nowicki was leaning toward a transfer to Illinois.

The haves and have-nots had different opinions. The Big Ten's heavyweights said they weren't trying to poach Penn State players -- most likely, Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin don't need late roster additions.

"I made the decision that we weren't going to reach out to any Penn State players,'' Bielema said.

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio would react if a player made contact with the Spartans but wouldn't "invest in going beyond that.''

"If there are people who are receptive, I'm here to create opportunities,'' Dantonio said. "I want to do this in respect to Penn State. At the same time, we have a job to do.''

Purdue coach Danny Hope said, "We're going to exercise every opportunity we can to enhance our own football team.''

Penn State running back Silas Redd, who was originally scheduled to attend the conference media days, didn't make the trip. According to a report, he was meeting with Southern Cal coaches.

NOTE: Illinois senior defensive end Michael Buchanan weighs 248 points after gaining about 15 pounds since a broken jaw suffered in a fight earier this summer healed. Buchanan will serve no disciplinary action because of the altercation, Beckman said.
John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JohnSupinie.

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